Susan Alston M.S.
Fundraising Strategy, Best Practices, and Project Management for Nonprofits
Principal, Philanthropy Guild, Hampden, MA
www.philanthropyguild.com

Susan’s experience with marketing and fundraising dates back to the 1980’s when she began her career as the Assistant Director of Marketing at Bank of Boston (before it merged with Bank of America). Since then she has served as an Executive Director at a national nonprofit, and as a Vice President of Development and as President of a Foundation. These experiences have broadened her understanding of what it means to work with people in leadership who have diverse perspectives and expectations and to put those insights into action to maximize mission objectives and outcomes.

As the Principal and Founder of the Philanthropy Guild, a new organization that incorporates associates into the Guild based on their expertise in specific areas related to the sector’s marketing and fundraising requirements, these associates are teamed together to bolster the philanthropic intentions of not-for-profit clients, through best practice project management and advising.

Susan’s expertise encompasses:
• Comprehensive charitable fundraising - planning and implementation
• Strategies for major/leadership/sponsor prospect identification, cultivation and solicitation
• Database building, integrity and conversions
• Special events: annual meetings, fundraisers, conferences
• Annual appeals via direct mail, email, and social media
• Marketing mission to revenue sources, funders, general public
• Brand integrity
• Communications: newsletters, brochures, web site and social media content management, press releases
• Community/public relations: enhancing strategies & effectiveness

Susan has a recent Master’s Degree in Strategic Fundraising and Philanthropy from Bay Path University (2012) and is a member of: Advisors in Philanthropy, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Trustee at VERTIS Preparatory Charter School, Springfield, Mass., Women in Philanthropy-Western Massachusetts, Corporator at Mason-Wright Foundation.  

Cheryl Ronzoni
Writer and Nonprofit/Business Professional
Westfield, MA

Cheryl A. (Gorski) Ronzoni has more than 10 years of experience in nonprofit management and communications and served nearly seven years as the Executive and Program Director of the Cancer House of Hope (CHH) in Western Massachusetts. Her responsibilities included grant writing, marketing, event planning, Board and committee management, program development and staff and volunteer management.

During her tenure at CHH she garnered more than $200,000 in new grant money from: Rays of Hope, Susan G. Komen, Merrill Lynch, Community Foundation of Western Mass, the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, Hampden Savings Bank, Chicopee Savings Charitable Foundation, United Bank Foundation and others.

Previously, Cheryl honed her skills in management positions at Step Up Springfield and the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield and has significant experience writing newsletters, web content, press releases and updating social networking content. She currently is working as a freelance writer and serves part-time as the Western Mass Coordinator for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Cheryl is a member of the Board of Trustees Member, Baystate Health Foundation and the Baystate Health Foundation Fundraising Committee.

Cheryl has more than twelve years of experience with volunteer recruitment, retention and management. She has engaged countless volunteers and worked with committees throughout her career in nonprofit management. Cheryl has conducted a workshop on Volunteer Management.at the Bay Path College graduate school for Nonprofit Management.

Dawn K. Guzzo
Graphic Designer, Art Director & Publishing Production Manager
Principal, Atomic Studios Design
Boothby Harbor, ME
dawn@guzzo.com
http://www.atomic-studios.com

Dawn Guzzo comes to the Philanthropy Guild with thirty years of Design and Publishing experience in every aspect of the field.

After receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design from Buffalo State University, Dawn relocated to New York City, where she became a junior designer at Marvel Comics, where she excelled and eventually became Marvel's Production Manager and Chief Designer, in charge of the legendary Marvel Bullpen. Her duties at Marvel included effectively building, motivating and managing a production team of 30+ artists and designers, as well as designing publication covers, interior editorial pages, posters, trading cards, & various marketing products.

In 1997, Dawn and her husband, Gary Guzzo, formed their own production company, Atomic Studios, and relocated to Boothbay Harbor Maine. As the company President, Dawn continues to design and produce advertising and promotional publications, as well as state-of-the-art Websites, for a large number of clients and organizations, carefully collaborating with clients to create vision, conceive designs and complete projects that meet the clients marketing needs, deadlines, and budget.

Jeffrey J. LaValley, M.Ed.
Relationship Builder & Program Events Manager
Springfield, MA
http://flourishthrive.wix.com/

With nearly 20 years of experience in building mutually beneficial relationships for institutions of higher education and not for profit healthcare organizations, Jeff joins the Philanthropy Guild with an extensive background in public relations, marketing, program and event planning, fund raising strategies and strategic planning. He also has proven skills in writing and editing, publication management, as well as volunteer, staff and board development.

Previously held positions include:  Executive Director, Shaker Farms Country Club; Director of Alumni and Parent Relations, Keene State College; Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Fund, Dean College; Major Gifts Officer, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; Associate Director of Donor Relations, Shriners Hospitals for Children Springfield; Associate Director of Development, USC Gould School of Law; Assistant Director of Annual Giving, Pomona College; and, Community Development Coordinator, Noble Hospital.
Jeff's expertise and areas of specialization include:

• Fund Raising Strategies:  Annual Fund/Major Gifts Strategies
• Fund Raising Appeals:  Corporate & Employee Giving/Direct  Mail /Electronic/Grateful Patients/
  Parents/Phonathons/Reunions
• Communication Strategies:  Branding/Marketing/Press Releases
• Donor Development:  Identification/Cultivation/Engagement/Stewardship
• Newsletters
• Program Planning
• Social Media
• Special Events:  Conferences/Fundraisers (Run/Walk/Golf Tournaments)/Galas/Board Retreats &
  Strategic Planning/Major Weekends (Homecoming, Parent & Family, Homecoming)
• Strategic Planning
• Volunteer Management:  Board Identification/Cultivation/Engagement/Stewardship

Jeff earned both his Master's Degree in Curriculum & Instruction/Higher Education Administration and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism/Public Affairs from Keene State College (Keene, NH), and a Certificate of Fund Raising from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Jeff is an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Greater Westfield, a member of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, and an incorporator, founding member and Chair of the Board of Directors for Friends of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail, Inc.